Dutch lady Nadieh Schoots finally had luck on her side in the latest round of the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship and with good conditions at the Snetterton circuit in Norfolk, she finished in a solid 25th place in Sunday’s race.
The ILR Kawasaki rider made a steady start to the weekend as she set the 31st fastest time in Friday’s free practice session but with conditions improving throughout the day, she took almost three seconds off her lap time during the afternoon’s first qualifying session.
Unfortunately, the British weather intervened once more on Saturday with rain falling prior to the afternoon’s second and final qualifying session, and although the track surface was drying all the time due to the warm temperatures, no-one was able to improve their lap times.
It all meant Nadieh started Sunday’s 12-lap race from the tenth row of the grid and she soon moved up inside the top thirty. Indeed, over the course of the first five laps, she moved forward a place each and every lap and just after half race distance she slotted into 25th place. With extremely consistent lap times, she was successfully able to maintain her position and, despite battling with a virus, she duly crossed the line in a solid 25th place, delighted to get another race finish under her belt.
Nadieh during the race at Snetterton, photo by www.burnoutmedia.uk
Nadieh Schoots: “It’s been quite a tough weekend more so off the track than on it as I’ve picked up a virus that has left me struggling with tiredness a bit. Free practice was a bit tricky as I didn’t feel comfortable with the bike due to some new parts making it feel a bit strange to me but as Friday wore on, I felt more and more comfortable with the bike. I posted a new personal best in qualifying which I was really happy with whilst we also found a good wet set-up with the bike in second qualifying.”
“On Sunday though I woke up with a headache and sore throat and it made the race hard going as I was struggling to hold onto the bike. I tightened up a bit and suffered with arm pump but I stayed consistent and was pleased both with the end result and how I rode. It’s nice to get a result after a bit of bad luck recently and I’m pleased to have got the full race distance under my belt.”
he next round takes place in two week’s time at the high-speed Thruxton circuit in Hampshire.